A record of Derick Hepworth's experiences in South Africa as he serves for 2 years. Elder Hepworth is from Pocatello, Idaho, and was called to Johannesburg, South Africa, English Speaking, as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Monday, August 31, 2015

Lately I feel at a loss for words. The weeks are all blending together and I feel like I don't have much to share because I feel like I already shared it. I hear that my siblings are starting school tomorrow for the second time of me being away and I wish them the best. My brother is a senior now? This week I saw some pictures that made me reflect on the past. I don't know if any of you have done that before but it feels strange. I think of who I was and what I have done and all the things that have changed. I'm still changing and trying again and again. That is a gift from God. I thank God for giving his beloved son to perform the atonement. The atonement allows us to repent which is change. Without the atonement we would all be lost and more especially me. I've been grateful to see the atonement work in my life and also in the lives of those I am here to serve. Jesus Christ truly is our savior and redeemer and I think to often we easily forget that. This week we had zone conference. It was an all day thing. One of the things that I took away from it was the lesson taught by the assistants. They shared this challenge called the purification challenge. The mission will be doing it in the next transfer. It is a great opportunity to change even more. I know that we feel sometimes comfortable the way we are but God sent us here to progress. I also went on exchanges with the other two elders. I took the greeny to Khutsong. It was his first time in township. He really enjoyed it but he doesn't like the food so much. It made me thing of how much I've changed since those days as well. As we talked I asked him if there is anything I can work on. His answer was no and then he said I hope one day to be like you. I don't feel like one to look up to but it made me feel good. Yet I still feel like I have a long ways to go. The area of Khutsong is doing really good. We had many people at church on Sunday. We are always working hard because there is no satisfactory substitute. I know that I talked about change a lot today but sometimes change is the best thing you can go through. Have a wonderful week everyone. What can you change?

Monday, August 24, 2015

This week I could say that is was normal. I realized that next week I will have been on mission for 18 months. I don't know if that sounds as crazy to you as it sounds to me. Mission is a great experience. I won't be able to admit it was the best two years but I can say that it was the most difficult, rewarding, and best decision that I have ever made. I don't know anything else that can change someone more than serving a mission. We have seen it countless times of people coming back changed but when it happens to you in becomes a testimony. This week I felt the spirit as I avoided stressing and desired to do what the Lord would have me do. Every week we have multiple challenges but one rewarding lesson or spiritual experience makes it all worth it. A lot of the time I forget that I'm in Africa serving a mission. Life tends to pass us by to quickly when we are enjoying it. Time is one of the most precious gifts God has given us. He allows us to use it the way we want to. My mind recalls the scripture in Joshua which says choose this day whom you will serve...but for me and my house we will serve the Lord. It is my prayer that we may not get caught up in the world and use our time on to many worldly things when we are here for a purpose. It is easy to get caught up in the world but it is never worth it. We have to focus on the light. We have to focus on the savior. I'm grateful everyday for the life I have and the people and things I have in it. May we all take some time to look heavenward and say thy will be done. Elder Russell M. Nelson said the Lord's way is the only way for us to experience enduring happiness. Have a blessed week everyone.

Monday, August 17, 2015

Winter is finally starting to come to an end and I'm happy. We have cold days here and there but nothing to bad. I will probably freeze to death when I get home in March. This week has had it's challenges but overall we found a lot of success. Last Monday we went to get our car fixed but here in South Africa if a holiday is on Sunday they take the next day off too ha. So we didn't get that done and have to go this week as well. We ended up playing rugby which I wasn't prepared for because I was in proselyting clothes but I'm not a party pooper. On the way home we made a friendly bet over ice cream on who would have the better stats at the end of the week. That was the start of a lot of hard work this week. We have been doing a lot of finding. We found so many new people and have been asking for referrals like crazy so the area is going to boom in the next few weeks. I must admit that we won the bet but it's not about the bet because this week made me push out of the laziness I was feeling. One of the days this week was rough for both of the areas in this district so we came home at night and had dinner together. We have a lot of fun in this district. It is important to have fun as a missionary. On Friday we had the opportunity to go to the temple. It was a great experience because we don't get to go to often but more than a lot of missionaries. After the temple we went to a restaurant and had lunch and then went to a mall to grab some things. When we were in the mall we past an eyebrow place and Elder Taylor who is from Utah talked us into doing it. We thought they would like wax it or something but they used this floss like string and a weird technique to pluck it out. It hurt a lot and I will never do it again ha. I have said it before but I'm so grateful to be a guy. On Saturday as far as missionary work it wasn't to good but we witnessed an engagement. Our bishop invited us to a fireside they were having and since our appointments fell through we went. It turned out to be a big set up for a return missionary to propose. It was pretty cool but it made me think about getting married to much ha. At least we had a nice dinner after with everybody. On Sunday I gave a talk at church. I wasn't nervous until I heard there was a member of the area seventy there ha. It was on the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is definitely one of my favorite things to talk about so everything went well. The rest of our Sunday went well and the week ended. Days may go by slow sometimes but the weeks fly by. Mission is one of the greatest blessing in my life. I can't imagine if I hadn't served. Have a great week friends, family, and others. You are in my prayers.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Happy women's day! It is a public holiday here. I don't really know what they celebrate other than a day off but what would the world be without women. Last week the internet went out in the chapel so I couldn't email. I guess it will make this email more interesting though. I'll start with the week before last. On Monday we had zone meeting. We played dodgeball in the chapel for awhile and then went outside and played rugby. Rugby was way more fun. I've enjoyed rugby since I got here. After zone meeting we went as a district to eat a Kg of ribs again. We had really good lessons during the week but I didn't know it was my last week with Elder Adjin. When we visited with one of our recent converts she asked a question and suddenly I remembered a scripture and quoted it for her. It was definitely a testimony of the spirit because I haven't seen that scripture for almost a year. On Friday President did his calls for leadership. I was called to be a district leader and Elder Adjin was called to be a zone leader. That meant that he was leaving even though his time here was short. The people were surprised that he was leaving but it was his time. We spent the rest of the week saying goodbye to the members. On Monday we had to go to the office for meetings and then hurry back for a braii (BBQ) with some members. Tuesday was transfers. The mission is shrinking so much. 22 Elders went home. We took a mission photo and the whole mission fits in a pretty small chapel. My new companion is Elder Willombe. He is from Zambia. He is a really cool guy and is really good at drawing. This week was pretty good. I don't know if I was ready to lead the area yet but it has been good. The zone leaders came on Friday to interview two people for baptism. They passed and were baptized yesterday. There names are Martin and Aletta. They were both invited to church by their friends and it shows how important members are in missionary work. Both of their friends gave talks at the baptism which was awesome. I got to baptize Aletta. The work is moving forward. We are focusing now on finding people to teach. We have a few awesome people who will get baptized soon but have dealt with a lot of jokers. I'm grateful to be here in Khutsong. It is an awesome place. Winter is coming to an end here and I can't wait for it to be over ha. Have a great week everyone. Enjoy your summer!